South East Melbourne Phoenix have ramped up their pursuit of a maiden NBL title with the signing of Boomers star Ryan Broekhoff for the remainder of the season.
Broekhoff will suit up for the Phoenix towards the end of the NBL Cup, it is hoped, with the 30-year-old sharpshooter currently in Michigan with his family. They will need to clear quarantine once they return to Australia.
Broekhoff has spent the past couple of seasons in the NBA at Dallas Mavericks, before he was then signed and waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, paving the way for his return home.
"I've got a lot of connections with the Phoenix - with Simon Mitchell (Head Coach), who I spent time with down at Frankston, Rohan Short (Head of Operations) used to work me out basically every time I came home during the offseason," Broekhoff said.
"It's been ongoing communication and the timing and everything just seems to fit this year. This is the closest team to Frankston so it's the home team in the NBL for me.
"I'm really excited to get back, see my family, get back playing, and obviously give back to Australian basketball and the Australian community. I've had such great support through my junior program and the Olympics and everything like that, so it's time to come back and start giving back."
Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell said Broekhoff will boost his side's shooting and rebounding capabilities, and that it was nice to have another player with a strong connection to the local region.
"It's pretty well known that Rowdy is one of our country's greatest shooters and we are thrilled to bring in more firepower from the wings. I also love his rebounding from the wing position, he has always been a great rebounder for his size and he brings more of the length we have coveted since last season," Mitchell said.
"On top of this, he's just a great bloke. A South-East boy, works hard, very coachable and with a little point to prove. I feel like he is going to fit wonderfully with our group and it's a thrill to bring him home."